Very similar to its close relative, the Collared Aracari, which it replaces on South Pacific slope, differing mainly in its strikingly colored bill. Adults: plumage like that of Collared Aracari, except that a line of deep chestnut separates the black of the head and dark green of the back; black breast-spot larger and more extensive laterally; band across belly broader, entirely red except for a more or less broken black anterior border, facial skin mostly red, only lores black.

Bill very different: upper mandible mostly deep orange to vermilion, shading to bright yellow-green at base, serrations of tomium very small, white. Basal half of culmen and entire lower mandible black; whte line encircles base of bill; iris bright yellow with black spot behind pupil. Young: much duller; head sooty-black; back darker and duskier; below paler yellow; breast-spot small and indistinct; breast band mixed with black and rufous; no white line around base of bill; iris orangish.

Call a high, sharp, metallic, squeaky pink, pity, kaseek or kisiik, like call of Collared Aracari but more often 2-noted; a harsh croak in aggressive situations; a week reedy rattle (Slud). Aracaris live in holes or hollows high in trees. The nesting site consists of one or several nest holes, because a pair will move to a new nesting hole if disturbed.

Outside mating season, aracaris have been observed sleeping together in groups. Aracaris spend a lot of time, relatively speaking, on ‘relaxing activities’ such as playing, resting and preening. One of the reasons they spend so much time ‘relaxing’ is that it takes up to 1½ hours to digest a large piece of fruit, so they focus on other behaviour until they are ready to eat again.